Cavaliers Cricket Club, Colchester, Essex, England

26 July 2010

Kneeshaw Returns to Top Form

Cavaliers First XI reached the half way point in their season undefeated but a 68 run victory over Great Braxted & Tiptree wasn't as easy as the winning margin might suggest.

Both teams were keen to bowl first on a grassy wicket that looked under prepared and Tiptree skipper Hale was the lucky one at the toss. Justin opened up fluently with some fine shots all around the wicket but Simon was struggling to score against long serving GB&T openers Turner and Hill. Justin took a number of painful blows to the hands from balls rearing from a length but Simon was first to go checking his attempted drive to a diving cover. Justin soon followed caught behind, Ben was unlucky to be caught down the leg side after looking good and Robbie fell to a top edge slash and a great catch. Suddenly Cavaliers were in big trouble and hoping that the long batting order could make a competitive total. Sure enough Jack was well supported by Stuart, JJ and Darren as he made light work of the conditions on his was to 75, with the tail wagging strongly the total pushed way beyond what had seemed likely only minutes earlier.

At tea GB&T seemed confident that a target of 196 was within their reach while Cavaliers were only too familiar with home conditions and how difficult it could be to score from accurate bowling. Stuart took about an over to knock the rust off after a six week injury lay off bowling 10 overs straight and taking 4 top order wickets. Robbie bowled well from the other end without any luck. GB&T were well behind the run rate at drinks but Hill was playing some big shots including a massive six that cleared the hedge into Mill Road and there still seemed to be danger while opener Hummerstone was unbeaten. Dave lured Hill into an attempt to clear long on but Jack just failed to come in quickly enough to hold the catch but fortunately it was not too costly as Darren bowled him with a snorter in the next over.

After that is was one-way traffic as Hummerstone went into his shell against tight bowling from Darren, Dave and Harish each collecting valuable wickets and Ben joined the party to dismiss the final batsman.

Another great team effort from the Cavaliers to recover to set a decent target and then bowl and field well to exert pressure on the visitors.